Members of the Barnstable Yarmouth Lions Club have received their fifth International Assistance Grant from Lions Club International to support sustainable ophthalmic projects in Southeast Asia. The 2011 grant funding brings total monies received since 2006 to over $100,000. The grant will help provide eye screenings and new ophthalmic surgical equipment to a remote hospital in Cambodia. In addition, Barnstable Yarmouth Lions Club members have raised more than $10,000 through local fundraising efforts over the past few years, to provide more financial support for these projects.

E.J. Jaxtimer Builder, Inc., 48 Rosary Lane, Hyannis, is now an official supplier of PLP Composite Flagpoles, designed for both residential and commercial installations. The lightweight fiberglass flagpoles are free standing, solid and sport a high-gloss white surface. More info at 508-771-4498.

Think lean

The Cape Cod Technology Council will hold a First Friday presentation from 7:30 to 9 a.m. Dec. 3 at Hyannis Golf Club, Route 132, Hyannis. Featured speaker Karl Kern will discuss “Lean Thinking for Entrepreneurs.” $35 non-members. Includes breakfast. Register at cctechcouncil.org.

Hyannis Chamber After Hours

The Hyannis Chamber of Commerce will hold its Business After Hours from 5:30-7:30 p.m. Dec. 8 at the Cape Cod Mall, with co-hosts Not Your Average Joe’s and T.G.I. Friday’s. Meet just outside Macy’s men’s store, and bring a non-perishable food donation for local food pantries. $15 non-members. 508-775-7778.

Homeless for the Holidays

PIXY 103 and Bourne Firefighters 9th Annual Homeless for the Holidays – from 8 a.m. Dec. 8 through 3 p.m. Dec. 12, firefighters from Local 1717, along with PIXY’s MattyB, will live outside for 103 hours, collecting toys, food and money for local families in need. They’ll be stationed outside the Bay Motor Inn, 223 Main St., Buzzards Bay, where you can stop by and leave your donations. Santa visits from 6 to 8 p.m. each night, and there’ll be live music from INSINR8, Chain Drive and other special guests. Info at PIXY: 508-775-5678.

Budgeting 2011 for landscapers

The Cape Cod Landscape Association will hear about “Forecasting for the Future” when its monthly meeting on Dec. 9 will hear from Dickran Babigan, president and owner of Navix. He will review national industry trends and suggest appropriate planning and management strategies. The meeting begins at 5:30 p.m. at Heritage House Hotel in Hyannis. Details at capecodlandscapes.org.

ABWA holiday meeting

The American Business Women’s Association will hold its holiday meeting on Dec. 14 at the Radisson Hotel, Iyannough Road, Rte 28, Hyannis, with networking at 5:30 p.m., buffet dinner 6 p.m. Keynote speaker is Beth Marcus, business manager at Cape Cod Beer.

Helping local food pantries

Community Bank in Sandwich is serving as a drop-off point for non-perishable food items during the winter months, to support the local community and raise awareness of families in need.

Benefit for Independence House

The Edward Jones branch office at 1676 Falmouth Road, Centerville (Centerville Shopping Center) is asking the community to bring in non-perishable items as well as new non-food items such as toiletries, diapers, mittens and other products, all to benefit Independence House, serving the needs of survivors of domestic violence and their families. The drive will take place through the end of December.

Edward Jones is also supporting the Cape Cod Marine Corps Toys for Tots program. Bring in new, unwrapped toys through December during regular business hours.

Just the ticket for a happy holiday

Getting a ticket in Osterville will be a good thing during the holidays

The Osterville Village Merchants 2010 Red Ticket Holiday Drawing has a prize of $1,000. All shoppers need to do is spend $25 at one of 26 participating businesses to receive one chance for the raffle (look for the Red Ticket in the window, and enter as often as you like throughDec. 23). Santa Claus himself will draw the winning red ticket Dec. 23 at 5:15 p.m. on the steps of Osterville Baptist Church (you do not need to attend to win).

Trollbeads holds holiday fundraiser

Purchase a gift card or make a cash donation at Trollbeads in Mashpee Commons, and you’ll benefit teens in need through The Boys and Girls Club of Mashpee. The store will also be raffling off a Trollbeads bracelet valued at $500. All proceeds will benefit the Boys and Girls Club fundraiser.

Joins Tastefully Simple

Sue Pulsifer of Marstons Mills has become an independent consultant with Tastefully Simple, Inc., a national direct sales company featuring more than 60 easy-to-prepare foods. More info on the company is available at
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Explore nature at Heritage

Heritage Museums & Gardens in Sandwich recently announced that its outdoor play area has earned the national designation of a certified “Nature Explore” Classroom from the Arbor Day Foundation and Dimensions Educational Research Foundation. It’s the second classroom so named in Massachusetts. More info on the Arbor Day Foundation is at 402-873-8703.

News from Cape Cod Provisions

• Cape Cod Provisions, located in Pocasset, has announced that their Harvest Sweets Dark Chocolate Covered Cherries were chosen as the third-place winner for Best Candy and Confectionary in the Americas at the ninth annual Americas Food & Beverage Competition. For more information, call 508-564-5840 or visit www.capecodprovisions.com. • Cape Cod Provisions has added Kristin McGillicuddy of East Sandwich as a new team member in the sales and marketing department.

In the red

Locally grown “dry harvested” East Sandwich cranberries are now available for purchase at Green Briar Nature Center and Jam Kitchen, 6 Discovery Hill Road, East Sandwich – just in time for your holiday goodies. The cranberries were donated to Green Briar, and all proceeds from sales of the crimson orbs will benefit the Thornton W. Burgess Society. (Hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Mon.-Sat.; 1-4

Fuel Assistance for 2010-11

Massachusetts low-income households may qualify for assistance with heating costs through the state’s Fuel Assistance Program through April 30 of the 2010-11 season. To receive more information and set up an appointment to discuss eligibility, call outreach coordinator Hilda Davenport at the Yarmouth Council on Aging, 508-394-7606.

Help is available for local fundraisers

Hearth ‘n Kettle restaurants and the Dan’l Webster Inn are taking reservations for fall and winter fundraisers. Pick your fundraiser date with the restaurant manager, come and enjoy breakfast, lunch or dinner on that date, and the restaurant will donate 15 percent of the proceeds back to your group. For more information visit www.hearthnkettle.com/fundraisers.php or www.danlwebsterinn.com/cape_cod_dining/fundraising.php.

News from WE CAN

WE CAN offers legal clinics for low- to moderate-income women at its offices, 357 Main St., Suite 2H, Harwichport. For information, call 508-430-8111.

Free income tax preparation

Co-sponsored by AARP and the IRS, Tax Aide provides free income tax preparation for low- and middle-income citizens, with emphasis on seniors. Tax Aide is seeking qualified volunteers to help in preparing these tax returns. Training is provided. Contact Pat Zeiss at 508-255-2292 to become part of this important team.

SHINE seeks volunteers

During the annual Medicare enrollment period, the Cape & Islands SHINE program needs additional volunteers to assist enrollees. The program’s regional office is at the Yarmouth Senior Center, 528 Forest Rd., West Yarmouth. Volunteers would work 4-6 hours per week from Oct. 15-Jan. 31, and would need computer knowledge, data entry and research skills. Training provided. Call Sonja Brewer at 508-394-9326.

Donate that clunker!

Boys and Girls Clubs in Massachusetts are looking for clunker cars. People wishing to donate are urged to call 800-246-0493. Cars are sold at auction and donors may take sale amount as a tax deduction.

BNI holds Hyannis meetings

The COMM chapter of Business Network International holds weekly meetings featuring a speaker Thursdays at 7 a.m. at the Hyannis Golf Club on Route 132. Contact Jack Mason at 508-771-1427 or
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